Cooking with Christina

And what's on the menu?

Borsch!

Now, I know there are some that are skeptical that anything that has beets or cabbage in it could be tasty, but that's just because you haven't tried borsch.  I'm talking about a good, Ukrainian borsch.  I made it once before we moved to Ukraine, but I wanted to know how they cook it.  So, Monday afternoon Christina came over and showed me how to make a good pot of Ukrainian borsch.  It was much easier than the recipe that I cooked in America and SO tasty.

You will need

1 decent size piece of meat cut up (they use chicken a lot because it's cheap, but they prefer beef or pork)
10 small potatoes, sliced into wedges (or chopped, however you prefer)
2 lg. onions, chopped
4-6 bouillion cubes
oil
3 carrots, shredded
2 beats, shredded
4 bell peppers, chopped (she used yellow, red and orange...in the winter she doesn't add the peppers)
1/2 head of cabbage, sliced (don't shred or it will be too soft)
1 - 1 1/2 tomato paste
Bay leaf
Salt and Pepper

Fill a good size pan with water.  Add meat and bring to a boil on high heat.  When meat is cooked (20-30 minutes), add potatoes.  While potatoes are cooking,saute shredded carrots, shredded beats, chopped peppers and chopped onions in oil.  (She used a decent amount of oil...maybe 1/2 cup?)  When potatoes are almost tender, add tomato paste, sauted veggies, chicken bouillions, a bay leaf and salt/pepper.  When potatoes are cooked, add cabbage and cook for about 5 minutes longer.  Remove from heat.

Serve with desired greens (dill, parsley), sour cream and, of course, black bread!    

Not only was she teaching me how to make a good pot of borsch and giving me a Russian lesson, but it also gave us a chance to talk.  We talked about staying in the will of God and when we get off track ask God's forgiveness then get back in His will.  She started asking about American politics, which led us to the health care here in Ukraine.  She shared with me how difficult it is and how much easier it is for women to just get an abortion.  She told me that her grandmother or her mother (I can't remember) had 19 abortions!  She told me she knew a girl who went to the bar and got pregnant.  Then when the guy said he didn't love her and wouldn't marry her, she quickly went and had an abortion before her mom knew.  She had 2 abortions before she was married.  When she finally did get married, she was unable to have children because of what the abortions had done to her body.  Her family, not knowing about the abortions, could not understand why a "heatlhy" girl like her could not have children.  They think of abortion as no big deal, but it haunts them for the rest of their lives.  Lina's mother didn't think that she could be saved because of how many abortions she had.  Please pray for these women.  They need to know the one who died for them and loves them...no matter what they might have done in the past.  Pray also that they will learn to love their children and be keepers at home.